Mars Pathfinder Rover Egress Deployable Ramp Assembly
The Mars Pathfinder Program is a NASA Discovery Mission led by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to launch and place a small planetary Rover for exploration of the Martian surface.
Rover↗
Engineering topics
Sword, Lee F.
Publications and source records attributed to Sword, Lee F..
Mars pathfinder Rover egress deployable ramp assembly
The Mars Pathfinder Program is a NASA Discovery Mission, led by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, to launch and place a small planetary Rover for exploration on the Martian surface. To enable safe and successful egress of the Rover vehicle from the spacecraft, a pair of flight-qualified, deployable ramp assemblies have been developed. This paper focuses on the unique, lightweight deployable ramp assemblies. A brief mission overview and key design requirements are discussed. Design and development activities leading to qualification and flight systems are presented.
Spence, Brian R.↗
Alignment Jigs For Bonding End Fittings To Truss Members
Set of alignment jigs hold fittings during adhesive bonding of fittings to ends of truss members. For each member, jigs hold two end fittings collinear while member allowed to move slightly, within dimensional tolerances, during injection and curing of adhesive. Once adhesive cured, fittings remain collinear even though member not necessarily perfectly straight between them.
Sword, Lee F.↗
Assembling Precise Truss Structures With Minimal Stresses
Improved method of assembling precise truss structures involves use of simple devices. Tapered pins that fit in tapered holes indicate deviations from prescribed lengths. Method both helps to ensure precision of finished structures and minimizes residual stresses within structures.
Sword, Lee F.↗
All-Metal Tires
Tires used where elastomeric and pneumatic tires would not function. Metal tires withstand extreme temperatures. Used on Earth for vehicles and robots that fight fires or clean up dangerous chemicals.
Bickler, Donald B.↗